- Parallels Desktop 6 ($79.95) - The newest version of the #1 Mac virtualization software, Parallels Desktop allows you to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems at the same time as Mac OS X. MacTech found Parallels Desktop 6 outperforms the competition in 84% of benchmarks.
- 1Password 3 ($39.95; Mac or Windows) - The #1 password manager for Mac and a must-have application for everyone; optionally available as the Windows version for those wanting to use it with Parallels.
- MacUpdate Desktop 5 ($10; 6 month subscription) - Our premium service for automatically downloading & installing updates and new apps.
- MacDVDRipper Pro 2 ($9.95) - The #1 DVD ripping tool, for copying encrypted DVDs to your Mac for backup or viewing without the disc.
- DVDRemaster Pro 7 ($49.95) - A robust media utility for re-compressing DVDs and converting/exporting DVDs to any format (iPod, iPad, iPhone, AppleTV, etc.).
- Hands Off! ($24.95) - Powerful security tool that monitors all incoming and outgoing connections to your Mac, as well as restricting app access to disks.
- App Tamer ($14.95) - Automatically pause unused apps in the background, so they don't consume any CPU cycles or use up battery life.
- TechTool Pro 5.0.7 ($99) - A leading tool for keeping your Mac and its hard drives healthy; included in the bundle is the latest bootable DVD image that supports all Macs released to date except the newest MacBook Pros.
- A Better Finder Rename 8 ($19.95) - The #1 bulk file renaming utility for Mac; perform simple or complex renaming operations in seconds.
- Civilization IV ($19.99) - Legendary turn-based strategy game, Game of the Year winner.

The MacUpdate Spring 2011 Software Bundle is available for $49.99 until March 31, 2011. For an additional $9.99, buyers can purchase the bundle on 2 DVDs, which includes a bootable TechTool Pro DVD.

I had some of the apps in the bundle already, but have been thinking of buying Parallels again as I previously had version 3 from another bundle but never used it and it's now too old to use.

I did recently run a trail version of Parallels 6 whilst on a works visit to a supplier in London. I didn't want to carry two laptops (works and mine) and my Macbook Pro was definitely going as I was stuck in London for 3 nights. Parallels to the rescue as the trial was long enough to cover my visit

Nothing much more I wanted from the bundle but at $50 it's cheaper than the parallels upgrade and the rest makes it a good buy. I already have a Mac Family licence for 1Password so it was nice to see the option to have a 1 Password for windows licence instead.

Divvy and A Better Finder Renamer are great but as I already have them I have gifted them to my daughter.

I'll probably never use Macupdate, DVDRemasterPro, Mac DVDRipper, Hands off or App Tamer. but TechTools may prove to be useful and I may give Civilizations a play, but even without them Parallels, 1Password and the gifted licences make it a worth while purchase._________________Phil

Would there be any issues with an early 09 Mac Mini running parallels? I keep seeing differing views on this.

I ran it OK recently on a 2008 Macbook Pro, I did have an older version of Parallels at the time which I bought on a previous bundle but that refused to run on 10.6 so I gave version 6 trial a go and it worked really well.

If your unsure download the trial version and give it a try before you buy the bundle._________________Phil

strawbale, you could download the evaluation copy first and try it out with different virtual machines of Win xp or 2000. You can make as many virtual machines as you want and have many on your HD at the same time. (Just don't try running multiple vm's at the same time.)

strawbale, you could download the evaluation copy first and try it out with different virtual machines of Win xp or 2000. You can make as many virtual machines as you want and have many on your HD at the same time. (Just don't try running multiple vm's at the same time.)

I had a vm with Win 2000 Pro on VMware Fusion, so I can't see why any of your Windows copies wouldn't work. I believe it's only with BootCamp that you require certain Windows versions.

Fox, sorry for my late reply - I'll definately have a go at that.
Just one (probably stupid) question: do I need to install a anti-virus program even if I won't use the Windows part for going online?

I got an email from Parallels inc today offering me a great deal to buy parallels following my recent trail which so far I haven't purchased. The offer ends tomorrow and it works out I would pay £48 for parallels with the discount.